Jay Manley to Direct WEST SIDE STORY for The Mountain Play Association

The Mountain Play - 'A Great Outdoor Theatre Adventure' and the San Francisco Bay Area's most magical outdoor theater experience - is proud to present the Tony Award© winning musical West Side Story directed by Jay Manley for its 103rd season in 2016.

"We are delighted to have Jay Manley back leading our artistic team this season," says Sara Pearson, Mountain Play Executive Director & Producer. "He took the helm in a groundbreaking transitional year at the Mountain Play, bringing to life the classic Sound of Music for our 100 year anniversary in 2013. Jay led us through the Mountain Play's transition into its second century seamlessly and with an amazing amount of grace and professionalism. Not only that, but his talent and experience as a director was exhibited in the production itself, which was one of the most popular in Mountain Play history. Jay is an asset to the Mountain Play family and we are thrilled that he is returning to direct West Side Story."

Based on Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare's infamous play about ill-fated young love, West Side Story is a Broadway classic written by Arthur Laurents, with some of the most unforgettable songs Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim ever wrote. Made famous by the 1961 Academy Award winning film of the same name, the musical is known for one of the most complicated and beautiful scores in musical theater history, as well as some of the most impressive and athletic choreography (initially by Jerome Robbins). West Side Story explores racial tensions playing out on the streets of the Upper West Side in the 1950's. The story centers around turf wars between the Sharks and the Jets, two rival street gangs, one white and one Puerto Rican. When Tony, a member of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, whose brother is the leader of the Sharks, the young lovers must stand up to their families, their communities, and the very social order of the world they inhabit.

"I was thrilled to be asked back to the Mountain Play to direct the 103rd play on Mount Tamalpais," says Manley. "The Mountain Play is such a special community, and directing in an outdoor amphitheater on such a large scale is an incredibly unique, challenging, and rewarding experience. I loved my first experience directing on the mountain, and I can't wait to get back up there to work on West Side Story!"

This Tony award-winning, critically acclaimed Broadway classic first came to the Broadway stage in 1957. The musical has seen numerous productions and revivals but rose to its level of popular success upon the release of the Academy award-winning film adaptation starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and Russ Tamblyn in 1961. West Side Story is musically rich with songs that have become popular standards such as "America," "Tonight," "I Feel Pretty," "Somewhere," and "Maria." West Side Story was the first collaboration between composer Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.

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